In what amounts to both a primer and a catalogue of a schoolchild's "firsts," the Alhbergs have combined a pleasing design with salient bits of information, driven home by a band of roly-poly children. The level of schooling is not referred to, so this works for either preschoolers or kindergartners. A variety of scenarios are imagined and depicted: one child weeps on a teacher's lap, while parents, too, shed a few tears on the way out the door. Singing, learning to read, cleaning up the room, getting used to a rabbitthe day is over before the children realize it. The next day, those who had been accompanied by their parents only 24 hours earlier head out to school on their own. Each day and week of the semester is packed with activities and realities: the children are not always happy, teachers not always serenegrumpiness is part of the school term, too. Children looking at this book will sense the Alhbergs' honest approach; this is a generous and sprightly view of school. Ages 2-6.�
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.�--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

PreSchool-Grade 1 The first four months of school for eight first graders are chronicled in wonderful watercolor detail. Lines of text interrupted by numerous small pictures, perfect for sharing in laps or small groups, show a multi-racial class of children getting used to things on ``The First Day''a book corner, a box of dress-up clothes, the toilets, lockers, classroom routines, and saying goodbye to parents. Three other parts, ``The Second Day,'' ``Time Goes By,'' and ``Christmas Comes,'' follow with learning to read and write, show-and-tell, and the class rabbit who is finally named Ronald. Numerous pictures show the small school obstacles that each five year old must overcome. However, no book can depict the first year of school accurately for all audiences. Here, toilets flush with pull chains, children say a prayer at mealtimes and ``put on a play about baby Jesus'' at Christmas, dance in the gym in leotards and slippers, and swim each Friday in the school pool. Still, this school is a friendly place, and children everywhere share at least some of the experiences pictured. Susan Hepler, formerly at Windsor Public Library, Conn.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.�--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.